THE MAGIC OF GIVING
"Everything I give to others is a gift
to myself. As I give, I receive."
- Sanaya Roman
Giving is IN. It seems that everyone is discovering the Magic
of Giving.
Oprah has her new Reality TV show, The Big Give. By helping
total strangers, participants experience what the producers call
"the high of giving."
After a dazzling tennis career, Andre Agassi is focused on giving
back - something he finds even more rewarding than tennis. The
Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation has raised more than $60 million
to improve the lives of at-risk youth.
Bill Clinton's book, Giving, is filled with examples of how
giving enriches the lives of others as well as our own lives.
Clinton writes, "one reason to be generous and public spirited
is simply that it makes you feel good."
Why Does Giving Feel So Good? Researchers at Harvard
and UBC conclude that giving significantly boosts happiness. Studies
with 630 Americans found them to be measurably happier when they
spent money on others. In fact, as little as $5 was enough to
produce real gains in happiness!
NIH scientists determined that the joy of giving is hardwired
into our brains. They discovered that the act of giving increases
activity in the midbrain - a region associated with pleasures
such as food and sex. Aha!
Givers Gain. Joe Vitale began to understand the Magic
of Giving in the 1970's when he was homeless. Having no money,
he gave away what he had - books. The more books he gave away,
the more books came to him. Detecting a pattern, but still impoverished,
he gave a few dollars here and there - mostly to people who gave
him spiritual nourishment. As he gave, he started to receive -
a job offer, a published article, then a client, followed by a
book publishing contract and paid speaking engagements. Living
quite a luxurious lifestyle now, Joe continues to give, saying:
"It sounds counter-intuitive but the more you give, the more
you will receive. As I give bigger, I get bigger returns: more
movie deals, more book deals, my own television show, more unexpected
income. The list goes on."
How about Percy Ross? Starting with $2 million, Percy set out
to give money to people he believed needed it. In 17 years, he
gave away an estimated $30 million. Look at those numbers. He
had $2 million and he gave away $30 million. Try to make that
work out on a ledger sheet! It won't. It's the Magic of Giving.
Spiritual leaders and financially successful people have been
telling us about the Magic of Giving for ages. Here are some pointers
to help you apply the Magic of Giving in your life:
• Give out of joy rather than obligation. Give because
it feels good and offers you a way to express appreciation for
all that you have and all that you are in the process of creating.
• Receiving is a natural result of giving - unless you resist
it. When you give, be open to receive.
• Give without strings. When you give something, release
it completely. It's up to the receiver what they do with your
gift.
• Follow Joe Vitale's example and give what you have to
give. It doesn't have to be money. You can donate your time. You
can teach a skill. Volunteers report improved health and a deeper
sense of meaning and purpose.
• If you're ready for more abundance in your life, think
of someone you can give something to. Giving helps you FEEL more
prosperous and releases feelings of lack and limitation.
There are endless reasons to give, but perhaps the best reason
is that giving makes you FEEL FANTASTIC. And, in accordance with
the Law of Attraction, when you feel good, you attract even more
good feelings. So do yourself and someone else a favor: Give from
your heart and experience the Joy and the Magic of Giving.
JUST BE IT!!!
Call 512-666-5165 or e-mail
me today.
Together we’ll create YOUR BEST LIFE!
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